Picard's Decision in I, Borg

Posted by Icarus367@reddit | TNG | View on Reddit | 2 comments

Good episode, but it didn't quite ring true that Picard doesn't consult Starfleet Command about his decision as to whether or not to use the computer virus superweapon against the Borg. This is a huge, morally complex decision which would have enormous ramifications for the fate of the Federation, and the script treats this decision as if it's Picard's, and Picard's alone.

Now, given that Starfleet has been shown to be at least roughly modeled on contemporary military organization, this seems to make about as much sense as a military field commander making the decision to drop nuclear bombs on Japan in WW2 rather than POTUS. In multiple other episodes Picard is shown consulting with Starfleet over big decisions, and there's no indication that the Enterprise was unable to reach Starfleet in time in this episode. Picard in fact had at least several days, if not weeks, to think it over. It's not as though it was a split-second, use-it-or-lose-it decision.

Of course, it makes the episode more morally weighty if our main cast is involved in all of the decision-making, but from an organizational standpoint it seems to make little sense that this call was Picard's to make. An episode where Picard was ordered to use the weapon and followed his conscience by disobeying orders would have made more sense IMO.